By ANDREW WALDMAN
T-G Staff Writer
Cooperation and dedication to the educational needs of students were themes that ran throughout the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce First Friday Luncheon titled The State of Education in Ashland County.
The luncheon included updates from seven top school administrators, including Tri-County Educational Service Center Supt. Dr. Gene Linton, Dale-Roy Supt. Ron Pagano, Ashland County-West Holmes Joint Vocational School Supt. Mike McDaniel, Loudonville-Perrysville Supt. John Miller, Mapleton Supt. Lori Lytle, Hillsdale Supt. Joel Roscoe and Ashland Supt. Jim Jones.
Event sponsor National City Banks Dennis Miller was on hand for opening remarks. He emphasized the commitment administrators have to their professions and districts.
There are so many internal and external obstacles they have to face, said Miller. Education is their life from talking to them you can tell that this passion is ingrained in them.
Pagano reviewed various success stories from Dale-Roy over the past year and described the services his facility offers to the area.
Were not just a school, were a network, he said.
Pagano said that a large problem facing the area is autism a disease that affects one in 188 births. This could constitute a large cost in the future.
Mike McDaniel said his district which encompasses Ashland County and the West Holmes Local Schools depends on every affiliate school and voter for success.
We serve our students their home schools, he said. We have to be responsive to those students needs.
Career Center enrollment is down slightly from a record year last year, but overall, enrollment is up 30 percent in the last three years. Thats partly because of the strong relationships the district is building with local businesses.
As the world of work becomes more challenging we struggle to keep our students competitive, he said. Our 300 industry and business advisors keep us grounded and focused.
Miller reported that his school received an excellent rating on the district report card this year and that several programs partnering community groups with the schools have been going well.
In addition, Miller praised the partnerships forged between his district, the Tri-County ESC and Career Center.
Were very dependent on each other, said Miller. Its important to remember that no man is an island were very appreciative of all our partners.
Roscoe took the opportunity to review his districts five year plan for financial success saying it had helped partner the community with Hillsdale. The plan is a series of renewal and replacement levies that have thus far been approved by voters.
The parents and community have embraced that plan, said Roscoe. The plan was to lay out what were going to need for the next five years. It restores the promise voters made to the district.
Lytle commended teachers for working hard through adversity in her system.
What you see and hear always tends to be negative, but there are very good things happening at Mapleton, said Lytle. Its an incredible testament to our staff.
Lytle said that enrollment is positive and students continue to open enroll into the district.
Are we doing everything right? Maybe not, but were doing the best we can, she said.
Jones took the opportunity to comment on the changing economy and how schools need to prepare students for the real world.
We need to look at if programs we offer are really going to serve our students in the future, he said. We have to take care of students so they will be able to compete in the international market.
Jones district has increased enrollment by 60 students this year, despite projections otherwise.
Contact Andrew Waldman at 419-281-0581, ext. 243, or by e-mail at awaldman@times-gazette.com.